Saracens have announced the singing of Italian prop Lorenzo Romano ahead of next season.

The tight-head is currently on tour with Italy in the Americas ahead of their Tests against Argentina, Canada and the United States. Romano was turning out for Aironi in the RaboDirect PRO12 last season but the club are going to be replaced in next year's competition by another Italian franchise due to Aironi's financial difficulties.

Saracens have moved quickly to secure their man and he will vie with Carlos Nieto and Matt Stevens for a spot in the front-row next term.

Talking of Romano's signing, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: "He is a young prop with immense potential, and we are looking forward to providing an environment where he can develop into one of the leading prop forwards in Europe."